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Recess / Lunch / Playground

Lunch & Snacks

Every student must bring a lunch and/or snack to school each morning (unless a lunch has been ordered in advance for the child via the school's Choicelunch program).  Lunches and snacks should be packed in clearly marked bags or containers with the student's name and grade.  No glass bottles, please.  Only in an emergency situation should a student's lunch be brought to school by a parent/guardian or other person.  In those rare emergency instances only, lunch must be brought to the school office before the start of the lunch period.  The student's first and last name and grade must be clearly marked on the lunch container.

Leaving "fast-food" restaurant or other lunches in the school office on a regular or semi-regular basis in non-emergency situations is against school policy.  SCHOOL OFFICE PERSONNEL MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE AND WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT LUNCHES LEFT AT THE OFFICE ARE BROUGHT TO STUDENTS BEFORE THE LUNCH PERIOD. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF STUDENTS WHO FIND THEMSELVES WITHOUT A LUNCH TO TELL A TEACHER OR YARD DUTY AIDE, OR TO COME TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE DURING THE LUNCH PERIOD TO REPORT THEIR SITUATION AND INQUIRE IF LUNCH HAS BEEN LEFT FOR THEM THERE.

Eating is permitted in designated lunch areas only. Students are required to sit and eat for at least ten minutes at the beginning of each lunch period. Due to safety concerns, microwaves will not be used to heat food brought from home.

Caffeinated drinks of any kind are not permitted for students during school and after school. These include, but are not limited to, sodas, energy drinks, coffees, teas, etc. Students who bring such drinks will be asked to dispose of them and may receive a detention for non-compliance after an initial warning.   

Healthy Lunch Program

An outside catering service known as "Choicelunch" provides healthy lunch selections for students throughout the school year.

Recess-Nutrition Break

All students have a mid-morning recess/nutrition break.  For the upper grades (grades 6 – 8) recess is primarily a time for students to relax, eat a nutritious snack, visit their lockers to prepare for their next series of classes, and use the restroom.  To assure the safety of all students, the following activities are not allowed:

• No games where balls are thrown at other students.
• No sitting or climbing on tables
• No random kicking of footballs, soccer balls, or kick balls
• No rowdy behavior, including pushing or shoving
• No foul or offensive language
• No chasing or screaming
• Hands should be kept to oneself.

Activities should cease immediately when the bell rings.

Eating Area

Students eat their snack and lunch at assigned tables in the eating areas.  Both snack and lunch are on precise schedules, so it is important students eat and play during their scheduled time.  Once seated, students open their snack or lunch and eat their own food.  Due to safety issues like allergies, it is important that students do not trade or share food.  When students are finished eating they should clear their place, throwing away trash, before being dismissed to their designated play area.

Parents are strongly discouraged from making a habit of bringing their child's lunch to school.  This deprives students of developing independence and responsibility for themselves and it can encourage a sense of entitlement.  Late arriving snacks or lunches must be brought to the school office.  They may not be taken to the classroom.

Students will remain seated while they eat lunch in their area for at least 10 minutes.  This time is well used not only to fuel their bodies, but also to allow for the development of basic manners and conversation.  This is "prime time" for student maturity and social growth.  We ask that parents respect the importance of this time and not interrupt a class's lunch routine by visiting with their child at the lunch table.

Playground Expectations

Students are expected to follow the rules at all times while on the yard:

1.  Safety is number one.  Play safe by following all playground rules.

2.  Listen and follow directions the first time given.

3.  Keep hands, feet, and other body parts to yourself.

4.  Treat equipment with respect and use it appropriately (ex: basketballs are for bouncing and shooting, not for kicking.)

5.  When returning another student's piece of equipment, return it politely.  Make eye contact, say their name if you know it, then gently pass it with your hands.  Do not kick a ball or throw the object hard.

6.  Use positive, encouraging words.  No put-downs.

7.  Freeze when the bell rings or the whistle blows. 

8.  When dismissed, return the equipment to the teacher (or to its proper place).  Walk in orderly fashion to your line or classroom.  No running or playing with equipment during this time.

9.  Use the restrooms during playtime so that you get back to class on time after lunch or recess.

Consequences

(Start over every day)

Playground violations can result in, but are not limited, to the following consequences:

1.  Verbal warning

2.  Removal from game, area, or lose equipment

3.  Benched for the remainder of recess

4.  Incident report sent home/detention

5.  Phone call home

6.  Conference with parents and principal

Bicycles, Skateboards, Scooters

It is not permitted to ride bicycles, skateboards, or scooters anywhere on the church or school grounds at any time.  ​